GAZA, FEB 28: Hamas on Friday urged the international community to pressure Israel to enter the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire “without delay,” a day before the first phase expires.
“We call on the international community to pressure the Zionist occupation (Israel) to fully commit to its role in the agreement and immediately enter the second phase of the agreement without any delay or prevarication,” Hamas said in a statement.
Two Egyptian security sources said that the Israeli delegation in Cairo was trying to reach an agreement to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal for an additional 42 days.
Phase 2 talks are meant to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza who are alive, and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the territory. Return of remaining deceased hostages would happen in Phase 3.
According to Israel, there are 59 remaining hostages — 24 of whom are still believed to be alive.
Hours before talks began, an Israeli official said the country would not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for under the ceasefire, a refusal that could severely complicate negotiations with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.
Overnight, Hamas released the remains of four hostages in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, the last planned swap of the ceasefire’s first phase.
